Trash rake



Aug. 8, 1950 'r. K. BREDA 2,518,119

TRASH RAKE Filed July 20, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l wgmmewmtm Aug. 8, 1950 T. K.VBREDA 2,518,119

' TRASH RAKE Filed July 20, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ma hmmv Patented Aug. 8, 1950 TRASH RAKE Thoralf K. Breda, York, Pa., assignor to S. Morgan Smith Company, York, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application July 20, 1946, Serial No. 685,085

9 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in rakes, and more particularly to rakes for removing debris from a trash rack or grating across the intake end of a mill race, sluiceways, and the like.

In trash rakes existing prior to the present invention it is quite difficult, if not impossible, to thoroughly clean the lower portion of the trash rack through which a free flow of water is very important. This lower portion of the rack frequently is obstructed by a tough interwoven mass of twigs, grasses, reeds and the like, compacted by the pressure of the water and seriously restricts the flow of water through the rack. This tough interwoven mass usually forms an inclined bank against the rack at the upstream side thereof with the result that the rake, as it is lowered upon the rack, rides outwardly or away from the rack upon the surface of the bank of matted material and the teeth of the rake cannot reach the debris and material at the bottom of the bank to remove it.

With the foregoing in mind, one object of the present invention is to provide a trash rake of the character set forth having a novel auxiliary rake structure arranged to reach and engage the bottom portion of a bank of interwoven debris at the lower part of a trash rack.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trash rake of the stated type having primary teeth positionable in operative and inoperative positions which is provided with auxiliary rake structure movable into operative and inoperative positions according to the positioning of the primary teeth of the rake.

A further object of the invention is to provide a trash rake embodying the described construction and arrangement having novel means operable to control the position of the auxiliary rake structure according to the position of the primary teeth of the rake.

A further object of .the invention is to provide a trash rake of the character set forth having an auxiliary rake structure constructed and arranged so that it will be deflected outwardly to travel downwardly over the-inclined surface of a bank of debris at the lower portion of a trash rack to the bottom thereof in position to dig into and engage the debris at the bottom of the bank upon initiation of upward travel of the trash rake.

' A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel trash rake device having the features and advantages set forth which is of relatively simplified and inexpensive constr-uc tion, and entirely foolproof and eflicient in operation and use.

These and other objects of the invention and the various features and details of construction and operation thereof are hereinafter fully set forth and described with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a trash rake installation embodying a rake made according to the present invention. 1 I

Fig. 2 is a partial view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating certain operating features of the present rake.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of a trash rake embodying the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4, Fig. 3; and I v 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 55, Fig. 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a conventional trash rack comprises a series of inclined, equally spaced, parallel bars 2 arranged to provide a grillor grating-like arrangement which acts as a barrier to arrest and collect trash and debris which otherwise would be carried through the race, sluiceway, or the like.

The improved trash rake of the present invention is constructed for use in conjunction with a rack of the type described to remove from time to time the trash and debris which is collected on the rack and, in the illustrated embodiment thereof, includes a rectangular frame comprising relatively spaced-apart end or side plates 3 between which extend top and bottom horizontal members i and 5, respectively, the latter being additionally connected together and supported by means of a plurality of spaced parallel bars or the like 6 arranged intermediate said end or side plates 3.

Extending between the end or side plates 3 of the rake and parallel to and adjacent the horizontal frame member 5 is a shaft '5 having reduced end portions la that extend through and are rotatably supported in the said side plates 3, for example, in the manner shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. Carried by the shaft 1 are a plurality of rake teeth 8 which may be fixedly secured to said shaftin any suitable manner. For example, the shaft 1 may be of tubular construction for the advantage of lightness and the rake teeth 8 may be inserted through openings provided in said shaft and secured thereto by means of welding or the like.

Rotation of the shaft I is limitedto approximately 90 degrees and the teeth 8 are secured in or to the shaft 1 so that in one limit position thereof said teeth are disposed in the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and in the other limit position of the shaft are disposed in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings. Limitation of the extent of rotation of the shaft 2' may be effectedi-in the manner illustrated in the drawings by-providing on one or bothend portions '50, of the shaft 1 a fixed projection or pin 9 which moves therewith within an arcuate slot l formed in the side plates 3. The arcuate slot [0 is shaped substantially to the quadrant of a circle and hence movement of the pin 9 therein serves positively to limit rotational movement of the shaft -1 and posed perpendicular to said bars 2 and project 2.

short distance :inwardly therebetween.

Rotationally mounted upon the extremities of the reduced end portions 1a of the shaft Fl are wheels H whose peripheries are adapted to run or ride upon certain of the rack bars 2, 2 of the trash rack.

Preferably the peripheries of the wheels H' are provided with a continuous nar- .row rih aor flange 1.2 which serves to limit lateral displacement of the rake with respect to the rack when the teeth 8 are in the inoperative position of Fi 2.

The wheels ll operate 'to effect rotation of the shaft 1 within the limits permitted by the slot 1'3 and pin 9 and this "is accomplished .by friction means carried by said wheels. Thus, each of the wheels 1:! is provided witlrone-ormore radial bores or passages l3 therein which extend inwardly to the shaft end portions la, and disposed within such bores or passages I3 are elements I! of friction material, for example, :lignum vitae which engage ag-ainstthe surface .of the endportions 1a of the shaft under :the pressure of .springs 15. Suitable plugs lfiare threaded into thejpassa'ges 13 to retain therein the friction elements it and springs 15, and the plugs lfim'ay be adjusted as required to vary the pressure exerted by springs 15 upon the friction elements M to cause the latter to engage the shaft end portions :la. with suiiici'ent force or pressure to provide the necessary drive connection between the wheels 1.! and shaft '1'.

With the friction assemblies in the wheels H properly a'djusted it will :beapparent that as the rake is lowered upon the rack from an elevated position, the wheels H on the bars 2 will rotate in the clockwise direction with respect to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings with the result that the friction elements 14 cause the shaft 7 to rotate with said wheels H in that same direction to the extent permitted by the pin 9 moving within the slot l9 thereby positioning the rake teeth 8 in the inoperative position shown in Fig. '2, the shaf t and teeth being maintained in this position by the drag of the friction elements M so long as lowering movement of the rake and accompanying clockwise rotation of-the wheels 'I l coniinues.

On the other hand, when the rake has been lowered the requireddista'nce and commences to rise'or move upwardly upon the rack bars '2, thereby rotating the wheels 11 in the'counterclockwise directionwith respect toFig. 1 of the drawing,the "friction elements M will operate immediately to cause the shaft I-a'n'd its-teeth B'-toberotated into the position shown in Fig. lso as to dig into and 4 engage debris on the rack during initial upward movement of the rake.

As previously stated it is the lower portion of the trash rack through which a free flow of water is very important and hence it is highly desirable that the lower portion of the rack be thoroughly cleaned from time to time to remove the tough inter-woven mass of twigs, v grasses,:reeds:and the like, which collect and are compacted against the rack by the pressure of the water and seriously restrict the fiow of water through the rack. This mass is usually in the form' of an inclined bank such as indicated at A in Fig. 2 of the drawings which bears on the lower portion of the upstream side of the rack, and its presence causes the rake, as it is lowered, to ride outwardly or away from the rack upon the surface of the bank of matted material as indicated in Fig. 2 and the teeth of the rake cannot reach the debris at the bottom of the bank to remove it and effectively clean the lower portion of the rack.

To overcome this disadvantage, the trash rake hi the present invention embodies an auxiliary rake structure including :a :frame [1 comprising side frame members 98 and a cross-frame member 59 to whim is secured a plurality of teeth '28 arranged as shown Jin the drawings. 'Theiframe i! has its side members lil pivotally connected at their free ends torake side plates 3 as indicated at 2!. It is to be observed that the side frame members it of the pivoted frame .11 are considerably longer than the rake side plates 3 so that thecross-member Sand its teethlfl are disposed anappreciable distance below .or beyond the teeth eon the shaft "1 and relatively remote from the rake wheels H.

Secured to and. carried by each of the .side frames 18 is-a plate 22 arranged for engagement by .a cam member .23 which is keyed or otherwise fixedly secured "upon the reduced ends 101 of the shaft 1 intermediate the wheels II and the rake side plates 3 as shown, for example, in Fig. 5 of the drawing. The cam 23 is secured rotationally of the shaft 1 and is configurated or :shaped so that whenthe said shaft and its teeth vt are in the operative or raking position shown in Fig. 4 and in Fig. 1, the :low'portion-of the cam .23 is presented to the .plate 22 with the result that the auxiliary rake likewise is :in the operative or raking position. On the other hand, when the shaft 7 and its teeth '8 are in the inoperative position and parallel to the rack bars 2, the 'cams 23 will operate .to pivot vthe auxiliary rake outwardly into the position shown in dotted lines in said Fig. 1 so that .it is substantially removed from possible engagement with debris packed against the rack as the rake is lowered thereon and furthermore will be in a position so that it may easily be deflected still further outwardly by the material of the bank A as the rake approaches the bottom of the rack and rides onto the bank as-shown. In addition, by reason of the fact :that the :teeth 20 ref the auxiliary rake are disposed wellbelow'thc teeth '8 and remote from the wheels H, the teeth 20 can reach the debris at the bottom of the hank, and will dig into and engage the debris upon initial upward movement of the rake.

The rake can'be'used on'existing racks without change of the racks, and may be operated by means of a suitably driven hoist 24, for example, through 'apail of suitable flexible cables 25 connected to opposite ends of the upper edge of the rake by means of shackles or .the like 26. In accordance with one conventi'onal practice the hoist 24 may be mounted upon a suitable frame structure F having suitable extension rails 2a adapted to be positioned in alignment with the bars 2 on which the rake moves so that the rack may be raised to the usual elevated position above the rake for the purpose of discharging the trash and debris removed from the rack by the rake.

In addition, and in order to insure actuation of the primary and auxiliary teeth 8 and 20 into their described inoperative positions upon downward travel of the rake in the event that the friction assemblies in the wheels may not function properly, there may be associated with the stationary rack structure a pivotally mounted finger or the like 21. This finger 21 normally is disposed in the path of one of the rake teeth 8 by a spring 28 which embraces a rod 29 that is pivotally connected to the said finger 21 and slidably supported by a bracket 30. The spring 28 acts between the bracket 38 and a collar 3| on the rod 29 to permit the finger to be actuated counter-clockwise out of the way by the tooth 8 upon upward travel of the rake, for example, to the broken line position shown in Fig. 1 and then automatically return said finger to the operative position shown for engagement by the tooth 8 as the rake moves down the rails 20, onto the rack, whereby the teeth 8 and the auxiliary rake structure are inoperatively positioned in the event that they have not already been so positioned by the friction assemblies in the wheels. A stop 32 serves to prevent return or clockwise movement of the finger 2'! beyond the operative position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention provides a trash rake of the character set forth having a novel auxiliary rake structure arranged to reach and engage the bottom portion of a bank of debris at the lower portion of a trash rake. The invention also provides a trash rack having primary teeth positionable in operative and inoperative positions together with an auxiliary rake structure which is movable into operative and inoperative positions according to the positioning of the primary teeth of the rake and which is defiectable outwardly to travel downwardly over the inclined surface of a bank of debris in position to dig into and engage the debris at the bottom of the bank upon initiation. of upward movement of the rake. Furthermore, the invention provides a novel trash rake device having the features and characteristics set forth which is of relatively simplified and inexpensive construction, and entirely foolproof and eflicient in operation and use While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein, it is not intended that the invention be limited to such disclosure, and changes and modifications may be made therein and thereto within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a trash rake, a frame, a member rotatably carried by said frame, wheels on said member supporting said frame for travel up and down a trash rack, a first set of teeth carried by said member, said member being shiftable by rotation of said wheels in one direction to an operative position in which said teeth are disposed substantially perpendicular to said frame and in the other direction of rotation of said Wheels to an inoperative position in which said teeth are disposed substantiallyparallel to said frame, means interposed between said wheels and member operable normallyto shiftthe latter'to said inop erative position upon downward travel of the rake and to said operative position upon upward travel thereof, an auxiliary rake structure including side members pivoted to said frame and movable relative thereto between an operative position substantially coplanar with said frame and an inoperative position angularly outward therefrom, a second set of teeth carried by said auxiliary rake structure and arranged parallel to and substantially spaced from said first set of teeth, and cam means carried by said member and engaging the side members of said auxiliary rake structure to pivot the same to said operative and inoperative positions according to the positioning of said first set of teeth.

2. In a trash rake, a frame, a shaft journalled in said frame and rotatable between fixed limit positions, wheels on the ends of said shaft supporting the same and said frame for travel up and down a trash rack, a first set of teeth carried by said shaft and arranged circumferentially thereof so that in one limit position of the shaft said teeth are disposed in an operative position substantially perpendicular to said frame and in the other limit position of the shaft are disposed in an inoperative position substantially parallel to said frame, friction clutch means connecting said wheels and shaft operable normally to cause said shaft to rotate with said wheels and inoperatively position said teeth upon downward travel of the rake and operatively position said teeth upon upward travel thereof, an auxiliary rake structure pivoted to said frame and movable relative thereto between an operative position substantially coplanar with said frame and an inoperative position angularly outward therefrom, a second set of teeth carried by said auxiliary rake structure and arranged parallel to and substantially spaced from said first set of teeth, and means carried by said shaft and engaging the auxiliary rake structure to pivot said auxiliary rake structure to said operative and inoperative positions according to the positioning of said first set of teeth.

3. In a trash rake, a frame, a shaft journaled in said frame,wheels on the ends of said shaft supporting the same and said frame for travel up and down a trash rack, a first set of teeth carried by said shaft and movable'therewith between an operative position in which said teeth are v disposed substantially perpendicular to said frame and an inoperative position in which said teeth are disposed substantiallyparallel to said frame, means normally operable to establish a driving connection between said wheels and said shaft to rotate the latter with said Wheels and inopera tively position said teeth upon downward travel of the rake and operatively position said teeth upon upward travel thereof, an auxiliary rake structure pivoted to said frame and movable relative thereto between an operative position substantially coplanar with said frame and an inoperative position angularly outward therefrom, a second set of teeth carried by said auxiliary rake structure and arranged parallel to and substantially spaced from said first set of teeth, and means on said shaft and engaging said auxiliary rake structure to pivot the same to said operative and inoperative positions according to the positioning of said first set of teeth.

4. In a trash'rake, a frame, a shaft journalled in said'frame, wheels on the ends of said shaft supporting the sameand. said frame for travel gamma 7 up and :down La trash rack, a .first set :of teeth carried :by said shaft, means limiting notation of said shaftbetweenzan operative position lil'l which said teeth are disposed substantially perpendicular to said frame -:and,an inoperative position -in which said teeth are disposed -.substantially parallel to said frame, means operable normally to cause said shaft to 'rotate w'ith said wheels and inoperative'ly position said teeth upon downward travel of the rake and operatively position said teeth upon -upward trave'l thereof, an auxiliary rake structure including side members pivoted to said frame and "movable between an operative position substantially coplanar with said frame and an inoperative position'angularly outward I therefrom, 'a second set of teeth carried-by said auxiliary rake structure and arranged parallel to and substantially spaced from said first set of teeth, and cam means on said shaft engaging the side members of saidauxiliary rake structure to pivot the same to said operative and inoperative positions according to thepositioning of said first set of teeth.

5. In a trash rake, a frame, wheels supporting said frame for travel up and down a trash rack, a first set of teeth, a member rotatably carried bysaid frame with its rotational axis parallel to the trash rack and mounting said first .teeth so that the latter are disposed perpendicular to said axis, said member being rotationally shifta'ble between an operative position in which said teeth are disposed substantially perpendicular to said rack and an inoperative position in which said teeth are disposed substantially parallel to .said rack, connections betweensaid wheels and said member operable normally .to shift said .mcmber to said inoperative position upon .downwardtravel of the rake and to said operative position .upon upward travel thereof, an element associated with the trash rack adjacent the upper end thereof and normally disposed in thepath of travel .ofone of said first set of teeth in the operative position thereof and arranged for engagement by said toothto actuate thefirst set of teeth to said inoperative position thereof upon downward travel of the rake, an auxiliary rake structure pivoted to said frame and ,movable relative thereto between an operative position substantially noplanar with said frame and .an inoperative position angularly outward therefrom, asecondsct of teeth carriedibyl-said auxiliary rake structure and arranged parallel to .andsubstantially spaced from said first set of teeth, and :means carried ,by said member and engaging .said auxiliary rake structure to pivot said rake structure to said operative and inoperative positionsaecording .to-the positioning of said first set of teeth.

.6. In a trash rake, a frame, wheelsasu-pp'orting said frame ,for travel up :and down a trash rack, a first set of teeth,-a member rotatably carried by said frame with its rotational -.axis parallel to the trash rack and mounting saidrfi-rst teeth so that the latter are disposed perpendicular to said axis, said member :being rotationally shiftable between an operative position in which said teeth are disposed substantially perpendicular -;t.o said frame and an inoperativeposition in which said teeth are disposed substantially parallel to said rack, connections between said wheels and saidmember operablenormallyto shift said=memher to said inoperative :positionuupon downward tra-velof therake and to said operative position upon upward travel .thereof,.a pivoted finger asend thereof and normally disposed .in the path of travel of oneof said first :setof teeth in the operative position thereof and arranged .for engagement by said tooth :to actuate the first set of teeth tosaid-inoperatiVe position thereof upon downward travel of the rake, spring means biasing said finger normally-into the path of said tooth for engagement thereby, an auxiliary rake structure pivoted to said frame and movable rela tive thereto between an operative position substantially coplanar withsaid frame and an inoperative position angularly outward therefrom, a second set of teeth carried by said auxiliary rake structure and-arranged parallel to and substantially spaced from said first set of teeth, and means carried by-said-member and engaging said auxiliary rakestructure to pivot said "rake structure to said operative and inoperative positions according to the positioning of said first set of teeth.

7. In a trash rake, ajframe, a shaft journalled in said frame and rotatable between fixed limit positions, wheels on the ends of said shaft supporting the same and said frame for travel up and down a trash rack, affirst set of teeth carried by said shaft and arranged circumferentially thereof so that in onelimit position of the shaft said teeth are disposed in an operative position substantially perpendicular to said frame and .in the other limit position ofthe shaft are disposed inan inoperative position substantially parallel to saidframe, -friction clutch means connecting sa-idwheels and shaft operable normally to cause said shaft to rotate-with wheels and inoperatively posit-ion said teeth upon downward travel of the rake and operatively position said teeth upon upward travel thereof, an element associated with the trash rackadjacent the upper end thereof and normally disposed in the path of travel of one of said first set of teeth in the operative position thereof and arranged for engagement by said tooth to actuate the first set of teeth'to said inoperative position thereof upon downward travel of the rake, an auxiliary rake structure pivoted to said frame and movablerela- =tive thereto between an operative position substantially coplanar with said frame and an inoperative position ang-ularly outward therefrom, a second set of teeth-carried by said auxiliary rake structure and arranged parallel to and substantiallyspaeedfrom-said first set of teeth, and meanscarried by said shaft and engaging the auxiliary rake structureto pivot said auxiliary rakestructure to said operative and inoperative positionsaccording to thepositioning of said first set of teeth.

8. in a-trash -rake, a frame, a shaft journalled in said frame, wheels on the ends of said shaft supporting the same and said frame for travel up and down a trashraek, a firstset of teeth carr-ied by said shaft, means limiting rotation of said-shaft between anopera-tive position in which said teeth are disposed substantially perpendicular to said frame and an inoperativeposition in which said teeth are disposed substantially para'liel to said frame, means operable normally to :cause said shaft to rotate with said wheels and inoperatively position said teeth upon downward travel of the rake and operatively position said :teeth upon upward travel thereof, a pivoted finger associated with the trash rack adjacent the 111313121 end thereof and normally disposed in the :path of travel of one of said first set of teeth in the operative position thereof and arranged for sociated with the trash rackadiacent the upper .75 engagement by said tooth to.actuate the first set of teeth to said inoperative position thereof upon downward travel of the rake, spring means biasing said finger normally into the path of said tooth for engagement thereby, an auxiliary rake structure including side members pivoted to said frame and movable between an operative position substantially coplanar with said frame and an inoperative position angularly outward therefrom, a second set of teeth carried by said auxiliary rake structure and arranged parallel to and substantially spaced from said first set of teeth, and cam means on said shaft engaging the side members of said auxiliary rake structure to pivot the same to said inoperative position upon downward travel of the rake and to said operative and inoperative positions according to the positioning of said first set of teeth.

9. In a trash rake, a frame, Wheels supporting said frame for travel up and down a trash rack, a first set of teeth, a member rotatably carried by said frame with its rotational axis disposed parallel to the trash rack and mounting said first set of teeth so that the latter are disposed perpendicular to said axis, connections between said wheels and member operable upon downward travel of the rake to shift said member to an inoperative position in which said teeth are disposed substantially parallel to the rack and upon 10 upward travel of the rake to shift said member to an operative position in which said teeth are disposed substantially perpendicular to the rack, an auxiliary rake structure pivoted to said frame and movable relative thereto between an operative position substantially coplanar with said frame and an inoperative position angularly outward therefrom, a second set of teeth carried by said auxiliary rake structure and arranged parallel to and substantially spaced from said first set of teeth, and means carried by said member and engaging said auxiliary rake structure to pivot said rake structure to said inoperative position upon downward travel of the rake and to said operative and inoperative positions according to the positioning of said first set of teeth.

THO-RALF K. BREDA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,823,823 Dundas et al Sept. 15, 1931 1,910,803 Leonard May 23, 1933 2,186,790 Smyser Jan. 9, 1940 

